Heart Attack Victims Dies in ER Waiting Room; Death Ruled Homicide
By Daniel Hawn
Published on September 18, 2006
The jury’s decision, issued Thursday, stated that Beatrice Vance died because of Vista Medical Center’s failure to follow the standard of care necessary for her situation.
According to courtroom testimony, Vance, 49, was taken to the hospital in Waukegan on the night of July 28 after she began experiencing typical heart attack symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea.
Deputy Coroner Robert Barrett testified that when Vance arrived, a triage nurse labeled her condition as semi-emergent. Vance’s daughter, who brought her mother to the hospital, reportedly asked twice when her mother would be seen by a doctor.
When Vance’s name was eventually called, a nurse discovered her sitting in a waiting room chair unconscious and without a pulse, Barrett testified. Vance was declared dead a short time later.
Barrett said he subpoenaed the hospital’s records after noticing inconsistencies in the staff members’ accounts of the events following Vance’s arrival at the hospital.
It remains unclear whether criminal charges will result from the jury’s ruling. Dan Shanes, a head of felony review with the state attorney’s office, said his department needs to examine the incident.
A spokeswoman for Vista Medical Center declined to discuss the jury’s homicide ruling.
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